Take a look at our November newsletter!
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BRUSH - UP
ANDERSON DENTAL CARE Nathan Brooks, DDS, Inc.
7525 STATE RD., STE. A, CINCINNATI, OH 45255 | 513-231-7755 | WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM | NOVEMBER 2023
Did you know Thanksgiving isn’t the only holiday you can celebrate this month? I’m not talking about Black Friday! I recently came across another holiday that ties into the season perfectly — Use Less Stuff Day. USE LESS STUFF An Antidote for the Holiday Shopping Craze
add value to our lives? Is it financially worth it? Can we use this product for an extended period? Can we wait until we run out of this product at home before replacing it with something else? Doing this has saved us money, helped us and our kids learn self-discipline, and encouraged us to find new ways to use or repurpose things we already have. I’m also trying to teach my kids the importance of gratitude — especially around the holidays. At our Thanksgiving dinner table, we take turns sharing what we’re thankful for. And as we make Christmas lists, I try to remind my kids to make lists of things they’d like to get or do for others. I understand the excitement my children feel when they get to write their Christmas lists to Santa and outline everything they want, but I want them to feel the real spirit of the holidays with a mindset of giving rather than getting. Of course, they get some new things for Christmas, but we try to help them recognize the blessings they already have and how they can share with those around them. As parents, it’s challenging to go against our nature (and society) in simplifying and not giving in to every “new thing” request. But the long term benefits for our children, families, pocketbooks and society far outweigh the joy of buying every new thing we want. I invite you to join me in observing Use Less Stuff Day by stepping back and acknowledging that for the most part, we have everything we need already: family, a roof over our head, and food on the table. And maybe donate a few items, pare down the Christmas lists, and play a game you already have as a family.
While Use Less Stuff Day is about living the minimalist lifestyle, I’m taking a decidedly different approach.
Jessica and I went through a minimalist phase a few years ago after watching a documentary about minimalism. It seemed so simple, clean, and easy to maintain. We started in our kitchen. We got rid of lots of extra gadgets, utensils and appliances; then we tried to downsize dishes. In theory, we would have so much room in our cabinets, and it wouldn’t look cluttered. However, it wasn’t realistic. We quickly realized it meant we had to wash every dish after every single meal — and when you’re living in a house with lots of children, this simple task can become overwhelming. We added back enough dishes to get us through the days’ meals, which was still significantly less than we’d had before. We also downsized clothes, games, books, shoes, and toys, but we kept a number that felt right for our family; that might be more than what feels right for your family, or it could be less. That’s what I think minimalism should really be about: intentionality in what items you have, how you use them, and what you add to your home and life, along with gratitude for the things you already have. If you’d like to make some changes in simplifying your home or life, Use Less Stuff Day is a great day to start. Don’t feel guilty if you’re trying to downsize and can’t get rid of some of your items — you’re human! Plus, you have to adjust certain factors to accommodate your family’s needs. What may work for one family may not work for you, and that’s okay. Do what you feel is best.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
One thing we’ve tried to implement is asking ourselves a few questions before we decide to add things to our shopping cart and check out: Will it
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The Science Behind Why Dogs and Humans Can’t Resist Leaf Piles
LOOK OUT FOR CAVITY CULPRITS AT THE DINNER TABLE! 4 HOLIDAY FOODS THAT CAUSE TOOTH DECAY As you gather around your family’s dinner table for a delicious feast this holiday season, it’s essential to be mindful of the foods you consume and how they can affect your oral health. We know what you’re thinking: “I already know candy, cookies, cakes, and sugary foods and beverages can cause cavities.” While that’s true, you may be surprised by a few other cavity-causing holiday foods on the dinner table.
Whether it’s your boisterous toddler or rowdy pup, a perfect pile of autumn leaves might be too good to resist! You probably remember the days when you also jumped into a crunchy orange leaf pile without a second thought. But why do humans and dogs love jumping into huge piles of leaves?
The main (and most obvious answer) is because it’s fun! For kids, dogs, and even some adults, jumping
and rolling around in the fall leaves is a satisfying form of play that releases energy. While this may be the simple reason for humans, there are a few more reasons your canine companion can’t resist a tower of leaves.
Here are four mealtime favorites you should be aware of.
DIET SODA While diet sodas are slightly better than regular drinks, they can still affect oral health! Sugar-free beverages are just as acidic as regular sodas, and the more you drink these liquids, the more you expose your teeth to cavity-causing elements and unnecessary wear and tear. BREAD The gummy paste that develops in your mouth as you chew bread can get stuck in the crevices of your teeth. If it stays between your teeth, it can cause bacteria to form, which leads to cavities. The same can be said for saltine crackers since the carbohydrates and starches are also broken down into sugar as you chew. MASHED POTATOES Although mashed potatoes are rich in vitamin C and potassium, which can help keep your gums healthy, if you cover them in gravy, the starchy food can become a hot spot for cavities. The high sugar content in most gravies can become cavity-causing as the acids within the liquid can erode tooth enamel. Furthermore, the sticky texture clings to your teeth, leading to more bacteria. DRIED FRUITS Raisins, mangoes, coconut shreds, and other dried fruits are typically considered a healthy snack. However, they are incredibly high in sugar. Because all the fruit’s water content is removed, you need to eat more to feel full. This means you’ll consume more sugar than you normally would, without water content to wash away the pieces sticking to your teeth. We’re not saying you can’t eat and drink these items during the holiday season, but be mindful of how much you eat — it’s all about moderation! After the festivities are over, please visit us for a cleaning. We will be more than happy to ensure your oral health is in tip-top shape.
INSTINCT TO DIG Digging is a dog’s favorite pastime that dates back to their wolf ancestors. Just as natural as sniffing and barking, digging is
an ingrained behavior for dogs, and they want to follow their instincts the moment they see a leaf pile. Whether they’re digging in to rest in the cool leaves or demolishing the pile entirely, your dog is just doing what dogs have always done. IRRESISTIBLE SEASONAL SCENTS Our sense of smell doesn’t even come close to dogs’ incredible scent skills. While we have 5 million scent receptors, dogs have anywhere between 125–300 million! This means they can smell countless other scents we can’t, and autumn may bring some exciting aromas your dog hasn’t experienced in a while. The result? They’ll dive right into a leaf pile and get sniffing! MARKING TERRITORY Another scent factor could be your dog wanting to claim a particular leaf pile. We already know dogs use their scents to mark territory, and rolling in a beloved pile of leaves is a way to infuse their scent. After diving head first into some leaves, they leave their scent behind so other animals can smell them and know that the leaf pile has already been claimed!
Whatever the case, jumping into a pile of leaves is completely normal — and fun! — for both humans and dogs.
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Boost Your Child’s Cognitive Skills With Origami SUMMER FUN WITHOUT THE BURN Be Sure to Follow These Steps!
YOUR MONTHLY NEED-TO-KNOWS WHO WROTE THE FIRST AMERICAN NOVEL? William Hill Brown is an author who is considered to be the first American novelist. His first novel, a tragic love story called “The Power of Sympathy,” was published in 1791 in Boston, Massachusetts. WHY ARE KEYBOARD KEYS NOT IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER? We put names, documents, and other information in alphabetical order. So, why are manual and smartphone keyboards the exception? At first, typewriter keys were alphabetized. However, people typed so fast, which caused the mechanical arms to jam and become a knotted mess. To prevent this, manufacturers randomized the letters on the keyboard — and the rest is history! DO MY INSURANCE BENEFITS ROLL OVER INTO NEXT YEAR? Dental insurance only gives you a certain amount of advantages you can use per year. If you fail to use all of your benefits by the end of the year, they won’t roll over into 2024. So, don’t wait to schedule your cleanings and exams next month or at the end of the year. Call our office and schedule your appointment today! If you’re looking for a family activity requiring minimal supplies and effort, origami should be next on your to-do list! Origami might seem too challenging or even not stimulating enough for children, but there are plenty of accessible and delightful shapes to keep your kids endlessly entertained. Plus, they won’t be able to stop themselves from filling your home with paper swans, dragons, and more! Not only is origami a simple activity that just requires paper, but it also offers a variety of benefits to children and adults alike. Discover how origami can boost your family’s brains and the perfect way to start folding! PRACTICE PATIENCE AND MINDFULNESS. No running, jumping, or yelling involved. Children can partake in a soothing activity requiring their undivided attention when practicing origami. Origami is even considered a form of focused attention meditation, which involves concentrating on a single object to induce a relaxing state. Calmly focusing on folding a piece of paper into a unique shape requires you to be present in the moment and can be a fantastic way to introduce mindfulness to your family. IMPROVE HAND-EYE COORDINATION. Origami also helps younger children better understand spatial concepts such as measurements, shapes, and directions. Studies show that origami
helps children improve their dexterity, hand- eye coordination, and spatial reasoning skills.
ENCOURAGE A MATHEMATIC MINDSET. The shapes and measuring involved in origami are also an incredible way to implement geometric concepts, terms, and formulas.
For older kids, you can make origami a geometry lesson! Use different geometric formulas and apply them to various paper shapes. This will help students better visualize and understand these mathematical concepts. GET STARTED. There are endless resources online or at your local library to create age- appropriate origami activities. While you can purchase special origami paper, you can also use standard paper and scissors to cut sheets into the proper size. Fill your table with a rainbow assortment of colored papers and let your kids pick the origami shape of their choice. Before you know it, origami rabbits and birds will be lining your shelves!
Vegan Scalloped Potatoes With Sausages
DIRECTIONS
INGREDIENTS
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2 1/2 lbs potatoes
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Cut potatoes into thin slices and cook them in salted water for around 30 minutes. 2. While potatoes are cooking, cut vegan sausages into small slices. In a bowl, mix together yogurt (or sour cream), oil, salt, and pepper. 3. In a glass oven dish, layer the ingredients. First, add the cream mixture, then 1 layer of potatoes, another layer of cream, 1 layer of sausages, more cream, and repeat. The last layer should be the cream mixture and a drizzle of oil on top. 4. Bake for about 1 hour or until golden brown. Let cool before serving.
2 cups vegan plain yogurt or vegan sour cream 4 slim vegan sausages
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3 tbsp oil of choice
1/2 tbsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Inspired by TheGreenLoot.com
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ANDERSON DENTAL CARE Nathan Brooks, DDS, Inc.
513-231-7755 WWW.ATOWNDENTAL.COM
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
7525 STATE RD., STE. A CINCINNATI, OH 45255
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Choose to Be Mindful This Holiday Season
Explore the Instinctual Call of Crisp Autumn Leaf Piles
4 Surprising Cavity-Causing Foods and Beverages
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Paper Folding Fun for All Ages
Your Monthly Need-to-Knows
Vegan Scalloped Potatoes With Sausages
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Window Shopping Will Be Your Best Friend
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED BEING A MINIMALIST? Try These 2 Challenges to Get Started!
SHOPPING BAN Trying to declutter your home can be difficult if you continue buying more than you need! You can take a page from Anderson’s book and refrain from shopping. While this isn’t a fun challenge, structure and rules can help you make a change. But if you love to shop, try window shopping! Adding items to your online cart and not purchasing them can give you the same hit of dopamine as actually buying those items, so you can still give yourself retail therapy without spending anything. If you decide to donate items, we suggest giving to local organizations in need. The Brooks family has a few favorites they donate to, so feel free to ask Dr. Brooks if you need some ideas!
Recently, Dr. Brooks’ wife read a book titled “More Than Enough” by Miranda Anderson. The book describes the story of a family who conducted a spending freeze in which they only bought the bare necessities for a whole year and used the money they saved to make lifelong memories together. This book impacted the Brooks family and inspired them to try a few challenges of their own. Today, we wanted to share two challenges you can try to practice living simply and use the items you already have in your home. PROJECT 333 CHALLENGE If you ever look in your closet and are overwhelmed with the many items you have, you
should try this challenge! The rules are simple: Every three months, select 33 items of clothing, accessories, jewelry, and shoes to wear for that quarter. Items not counted in this challenge are wedding bands, sentimental items, sleepwear, workout clothing, and undergarments. The rest of your wardrobe should be stored and out of sight. It’s important to note that if your clothes or other items don’t fit or are in poor condition, you can replace them. Once the quarter is complete, start the challenge over by picking out items to wear for the next three months. By doing this, you may be surprised at how often you wear the same pieces! This will make it easier for you to determine what items you should keep and what you can donate.
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